Lafayette football coach Frank Tavani wears a Chicago Cubs pullover and cap In support of Cubs manager and former Lafayette football and baseball player Joe Madden. Madden sent the stuff to him after Tavani sent Madden Lafayette football garb, which he wore last week. (PAUL REINHARD / SPECIAL TO THE MORNING CALL)

Lafayette College football coach Frank Tavani showed up at Tuesday's media luncheon in uniform.

But it wasn't football.

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Coach Tavani wore a Chicago Cubs pullover shirt and a Cubs postseason hat, both sent to him by Cubs manager Joe Maddon.

"It's always nice to get encouraging words from a guy like Joe Maddon," Tavani said. "Over the last three years, we got to know each other really well."

The relationship between Maddon, a Hazleton native who played one year of football and three years of baseball at Lafayette, began around the time of the 150th Lafayette-Lehigh game, which was played before a sellout crowd in Yankee Stadium. Lafayette won 27-7.

"He really liked the anthracite [gray] uniform [the Leopards wore for the game]," Tavani said. "We wanted to send him an anthracite jersey, but we were wearing them that weekend. I didn't have an extra one No. 12 [Maddon's old number]. So, we sent him a black one."

Maddon must have loved it. He put it on for a Cubs press conference and tweeted, "Thanks to Coach Tavani for sending my old number… wore for the last time v Lehigh freshman year … have a great Homecoming … go 'Pards!!"

Maddon sent the Cubs gear, and a photo of Tavani wearing it at the media lunch was tweeted: "Hey @CubsJoeMadd, plenty of support for the @Cubs from @LafColFootball's Coach Tavani at today's press conference …"

Maddon responded via Twitter: "Thanks Coach … Cubs appreciate the Leopards support … animal kingdom has to stick together … best to all … see you Lehigh weekend."

When he returns to Easton, Maddon will be able to wear different Lafayette gear.

"I just sent him the anthracite jersey, an anthracite beanie and anthracite hat because he likes that," Tavani said at the media lunch. "Also to help support the Hazleton Immigration Project, which we're getting more involved with."

Tavani talked with Maddon on the phone Monday night and told him he would wear the Cubs shirt to practice every day this week.

"We chatted a little bit," Tavani said. "He's a tremendous guy, but he also had some encouraging words for all of us, particularly our players, so I'll share that with them in private at practice this evening."